Police finance manager claims funds were diverted

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Police Bureau’s finance manager says she was told to open a credit union account that was funded with tens of thousands of dollars meant for the city of Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Friday that finance manager Sandra J. Ganster says she reported her concerns about the account to the city. Ganster’s attorney says she has spoken twice to federal authorities who are investigating the police bureau.

Attorney William H. Difenderfer says Ganster was told to open the account by former police chief Nate Harper, who resigned last month. Difenderfer estimates that between $28,000 and $37,000 was diverted to the account since 2008 or 2009.

Police bureau spokeswoman Diane Richard was not immediately available for comment. Harper’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.